Simulation Test Study On Compaction Character of Grouting Backfill in Caving Area

International Conference Waste Management, Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable
Development (ICWMEGGSD'07 - GzO'07) Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, August 28. - 30., 2007
SIMULATION TEST STUDY ON COMPACTION

CHARACTER OF GROUTING BACKFILL IN CAVING AREA
Xing-shang LI, Jia-lin XU, Wei-bing ZHU, De-lin ZHUANG
ID 036
China University of Mining & Technology, School of Mining and Safety
Engineering, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, CHINA
l_x1970@163.com
ABSTRACT
Based on discrete element theory, the particle flow model of backfill body in caving area is
built, and the relation of particle mesomechanical character, such as contact stiffness,
contact character, and macrocosm character is analyzed. By particle flow numerical
simulation, dynamic process of grouting backfill in caving area, including coal mining, roof
collapse and backfill, are realized. The influence of filling ratio, cementation character and
elasticity modulus of backfill material to the compaction character of grouting backfill in
caving area is studied. It is found that filling ratio, if more than 15%, compaction curve of
the model changes sharply, is the most sensitive factor influencing compaction character of
backfill body; in the same filling ratio, yield point of cementation strength of backfill body,
controlled by cementation strength of backfill material, is critical factor influencing the
quantity of compaction subsidence, but not influencing the limit quantity; the smaller the
backfill ratio is, the influence of elasticity modulus on compaction character of backfill
body is more evident.
Key words: Mining Engineering, Grouting Backfill in Caving Area, Compaction
Character, PFC2D particle flow code.
*Supported by the 111 Project (Project No.B07028)
INTRODUCTION
Coal-mining subsidence badly destroys environment[1]. Grouting backfill in caving area
refers to any mineral waste material or sand that is placed into roof fall rocks in order to
reinforce the roof fall broken rock[2-4]. Grouting backfill is performed to resist to roof fall
and reduce surface subsidence. The grouting backfill method of fall rocks has been used in
Poland for many years. The method is based on longwall with caving, and surface
deformation value decreased 30~40%. The configuration of the roof fall rocks and grouting
materials mixture is call to backfill; The backfill will be compacted after strata cracks; so
the compaction character is a key factor influencing coal-mining subsidence; but the study
on compaction character is lack.

So far, study means of compaction character of grouting backfill in caving area is still lack
because of two reasons: first, the dynamic process of grouting backfill in caving area,
including coal mining, roof collapsing, filling and compacting, are complicated, and the
material contact constitutive relationships is variational in the process; so the dynamic
process cant be theoretically analyzed and tested in the laboratory. Secondly, the
geological condition in the coal is intricate; so it is difficult to survey the compaction
character in the field. There exists complicated structure and stress field in backfill, as
enduring various complicated geological process during its formation history, which results
in different properties of backfill. Such structures of backfill can be regarded as spatial
structure system, which consists of single particle (assemblies and block). The way of force
impressing and the deformation properties of backfill are determined by the form of the
backfill cell such as single particle of mineral (assemblies and block). The structural
strength of the backfill is determined by the bond type of the particles (point contact or
plane contact), and the stability of the soil is determined by the particles arrangement. Such
properties of backfill can be investigated from the viewpoint of meso-mechanics.
Generally,the properties of backfill mainly depend upon its meso-composition an d
structures either for fall rocks or for grouting materials mixtureIt is known that the backfill
properties should be studied in the micro point of view,but it is too difficult to constitute
quantity relation between macro and micro levels. The backfill properties can be simulated
with meso-mechanics by particle flow code(PFC) and the macro-response of backfill can be
an analyzed by investigating its meso-parameters.
The theory of particle flow is introduced in the paper, and the hypothesis of macrocontinuity in traditional continuum mechanics has been removed. Based on the theory, the
dynamic process of grouting backfill in caving area and compaction character are
simulated, and the relations between meso-structure and macro-response are constituted. It
has been understood more thoroughly on the compaction properties of backfill, such as
critical filling ration and limit the limit quantity of compaction of backfill.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF PFC2D

PFC2D (Particle Flow Code in 2Dimensions) models the movement and interaction of
circular particles by the distinct element method (DEM)[5]. It uses a two-dimensional code
to model physical phenomena which are three dimensional in nature. PFC2D may be used
to model static or dynamic problems, but the full dynamic equations of motion are solved
even when static solutions are required. This is done in order to follow such phenomena as
failure and flow of material in a realistic manner; it is not necessary to invoke some
nonphysical algorithm, as done in some implicit methods. Modeling with PFC2D involves
the execution of many thousands of timesteps. At each step, Newtons second law is
integrated twice for each particle to provide updated velocities and new positions, given a
set of contact forces acting on the particle. Based on these new particle positions, contact
forces are derived from the relative displacements of pairs of particles; a linear or nonlinear
force/displacement law at contacts may be used. PFC2D is also able to model a brittle
solid, by bonding every particle to its neighbor; the resulting assembly can be regarded as a
solid that has elastic properties and is capable of fracturing when bonds break in a

progressive manner. PFC2D contains extensive logic to facilitate the modeling of solids as
close packed assemblies of bonded particles.The steps for performing an analysis with
PFC2D include: (1) particle generation. (2) boundary and initial conditions. (3) choice of
contact model and material properties. (4) loading, solution and sequential modeling. (5)
interpretation of results.
PFC SIMULATION OF BACKFILL COMPACTION PROPERTIES

Assumptions
Based on discrete element theory and Particle Flow Code in 2Dimensions, assumptions
follow as:
(1) The roof fall rocks and grouting materials mixture are treated as rigid circular Particles.
(2) Bonds can exist at contacts between grouting materials mixture particles, and grouting
materials mixture particles are treated as the contact-bond model; the roof fall rocks are
treated as the slip model.
PFC2D allows particles to be bonded together at contacts. Two bonding models are
supported, a contact-bond model and a parallel-bond mode1. Both bonds can be envisioned
as a kind of glue joining the two particles. The contact-bond glue is of a vanishingly small
size that acts only at the contact point, while the parallel-bond glue is of a finite size that
acts over either a circular or rectangular cross-section lying between the particles. The
contact bond can only transmit a force, while the parallel bond can transmit both a force
and a moment. The model is suitable to be used for the cohesive materials such as grouting
materials.
The slip model is an intrinsic property of the two entities (ball-ball or ball-wall) in contact.
It provides no normal strength in tension and allows slip to occur by limiting the shear
force. The model describes the constitutive behavior for particle contact occurring at a
point. And it is suitable to be used for the disseminate materials such as fall rocks.
(3) The stiffness are treated as elasticity modulus in the model of backfill.
PFC2D allows model to represent given individual particle, such as broken rocks, and to
represent bonded together particles, such as concrete. The stiffness between particles can be
visualize as elasticity modulus of the material.
Numerial modeling of PFC2D
To analyse grouting Backfill in long wall Caving Area of a coal mine mining in china , the
particle flow model of backfill body in caving area is built as Figure 2., and the model is
4012 m. Firstly, the boundary of the model was defined; it constitute three walls, the
bottom boundary wall simulate the seam floor ,and another two walls simulate the pillars

which are not mined; second, the parallel joint particles simulate the hard strata above the
immediate roof as the loaded plate; last, 3m coal particle was built, including 48620
particles,9m immediate roof sandstone particle, including 71862 particles. The immediate
roof is divide into 3m layers; the particles in every layer are stochastic in appointed area;
the radii of the particles from the bottom up is increasing; particle radius are distributing
averagely. The contact model between the particle and the wall is the linear elastic model.
Process of the simulation

The simulation of dynamic process can be divided into 6 steps (figure 1.).
a. first equilibrium
b. Simulating the coal mining
c. falling of roof
d. grouting backfill
e. compaction process
f. compaction
Figure 1.: The simulation of dynamic process of coal mining and backfill.
Disposing measure place after first equilibrium (Figure 1a.). the model should reach
balance by itself gravitation, then load it to initial rock stress state, all the measure places
Y-coordinate are 12m, which are tracking the vertical movement of the particle and note
the vertical displacement of each measure place. Simulation of the coal mining. The
particles was deleted ranging from 0 to 3m in the model to simulate the coal mining, as
Figure 1b. shown simulation of the immediate roof caving (Fig.1c-). The model was
unloaded; because of the gravity, by calculating ,the immediate roof is full caved and the
model shows a lot of voids. Simulation of grouting backfill (Figure 1d.). The particles of
grouting materials mixture were filled into voids in the model. According to r, which refers
to filling ration in the model, the number of the particles of grouting materials mixture can
be calculated. The formula of backfill ratio is as follwing
v n
r= 1 = 1
v n
(1)
Where; v1 denote volume of grouting materials mixture; v denote volume of mining coal;
n1 denote the number of the particles of grouting materials mixture; n denote the number of
the particles of coal. Compaction process (Figure 1e.). According the model, the load was
placed on hard strata; Y-coordinate was recorded as mean value of displace, and then start
to calculate last compaction (Figure 2f.). Y-displace should be recorded according to the
calculation.
h/h=( s+h-12)/h
(2)

where is the vertical strain of the backfill, s is the vertical placement of the particle, h
is the compress subsidence of the backfill, h is the compress subsidence of the backfill creat
backfill particle in the voids of the model directly, Basic parameters of backfill model are
as table 1., based on the backfill ratio in the simulation project, use formula (1) to work out
the amount of the backfill particle, the contect stiffness between backfill particles is
cementation strength.
Choice of the parameters in the PFC model

In the PFC model, the parameters of backfill model are based on the result of mechanics
text and the size of the model. The parameters of the PFC model were Modulated time after
time to ensure the based parameters of coal and sandstone, till the vertical placement in the
result of the numerical simulation is similar with the immediate roof subsidence of
practical long wall mining backfill ratio =0
Table 1.: Basic parameters of backfill model
Particle
Density/
radius /m
name
(kg.m-3)
Coal
1.15
0.05
Sand rock
1.6
0.080.45
Grouting
1.25
0.05
material
Contact
Friction
modulus/GPa coeff.
6
0.7
0.95
0.7
2
60
Making Plans of Simulation Test on Compaction

There are many factors influencing the characteristic of backfill, such as the load above the
immediate roof, the cementation strength, elasticity modulus of the backfill model and
filling ratio. Based on the influence factor, the particle flow model of backfill body in
caving area were build as following:
(1) To study the connection between the backfill ratio and compaction curve of the backfill
body, the amount of the particles in the model of backfill body was changed.
(2) The cementation strength of backfill material was changed in order to study the relation
between the cementation strength of backfill body and compaction curve of the backfill
body.
(3) To study relation between elasticity modulus and compaction curve of the backfill body,
Contact modulus in the model of backfill body was changed.
ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION TEST

The connection between the backfill ratio and compaction curve of the backfill body

70
f i l l i ng
r at i on0
f i l l i ng
r at i on 5
f i l l i ng
r at i on 10
f i l l i ng
r at i on 15
f i l l i ng
r at i on 20
f i l l i ng
r at i on 25
f i l l i ng
r at i on 30
60
/ MPa
50
40
30
20
10
0
/ 10
Figure 2.: The relation of backfill ratio and compaction curve

Figure 2. shows the connection between the backfill ratio and compaction curve under the
condition that the cementation strength is 2MPa.
Figure 2. indicates the backfill ratio is the key factor compaction character of backfill body;
if more than 15%, compaction curve of the model become smaller sharply with the increase
of the backfill ratio: when the backfill ratio is 5%, compaction curve of the model is nearly
the same with that of backfill ratio is 0;the three compaction curve which filling ratio is less
than15% are similar, they are increasing curve, but when the backfill ratio is more than
15%, the form of the compaction curve changes a lot. So we can call 15% a critical backfill
ratio, the engineering meanings is: it is meaningless to try to use backfill to control the
subsidence of roof and the ground surface when the backfill ratio is less than 15%.
The relation between the cementation strength and compaction curve

Figure 3. reflects the relation of cementation strength and compaction.
/ MPa
0
- 0. 1
h/ m
- 0. 2
- 0. 3
- 0. 4
10
20
30
40
50
60
cement at i
st r engt h
cement at i
st r engt h
cement at i
st r engt h
on
0
on
2MPa
on
4MPa
- 0. 5
- 0. 6
- 0. 7
Figure 4.: The relation of cementation strength and compaction.

Figure 3. indicates yield point of cementation strength of backfill body with filling ration of
30% is 22 MPa; it is very evident that compaction curve in the cementation filling model

has inflexion. If the load value is less than 22 MPa, compaction value is very small. If the
load value is more than 22 MPa, compaction value goes up sharply.
Relation between elasticity modulus and compaction curve
Figure 4. shows that compaction curve of the backfill body of filling ration of 30, resemble
the one of filling ration of 25, tow curve is smooth. Compaction curve of the backfill body
of filling ration of 10 and 20% resemble the one of filling ration of 0, three curve is sharper
than 25. It is concluded that the smaller the backfill ratio is, the influence of elasticity
modulus to compaction character of backfill body is more evident.
- 0. 1
- 0. 3
el
ast i ci3 t y modul
us/ G
Pa
2
4
5
f i l l i ng
r at i on0
f i l l i ng
r at i on 10
f i l l i ng
r at i on 15
- 0. 7
f i l l i ng
r at i on 20
- 0. 9
f i l l i ng
r at i on 25
- 1. 1
f i l l i ng
r at i on 30
h/ m
- 0. 5
Figure 4.: The relation of stiffness and subsidence quantity.
CONCLUSION
(1) PFC2D can add or delete particle at any time, and the contact constitutive relationships
can be formed automatically, and dynamic process of grouting backfill in caving area,
including coal mining, roof collapse and backfill, are simulated effectively. Its very
easy to simulate the compaction character of grouting backfill body by changing micro
parameter, which meaning of the corresponding character is clear in the PFC model.
The result of the numerical simulation can direct the physics model experiment.
(2)The PFC simulation indicates that the filling ratio is the key factor influencing the
compaction character, filling ration of 15% is the critical value, when filling ration is
more than 15%, compaction curve of the model changes sharply, but when less than
15% compaction curve of the model changes slowly, nearly as the curve on condition of
filling ratio of 0.
(3) Compaction curve in the cementation filling model has inflexion; If the load value is
less than inflexion, compaction value is very small; If the load value is inflexion,
compaction value goes up sharply;
(4) With the increasing of the backfill ratio, the influence of elasticity modulus on
compaction curve is less evident.

REFERENCES
[1] Qian Minggao, Xu Jialin, Miao Xiexing. Green mining Technology [J]. Journal of
China University of Mining & Technology, 2003, 32(4):343348
[2] Xu Jialin, Zhu Weibing, Li Xingshang. Study on the technology of partial-filling to
control coal mining subsidence[J]. Journal of Mining & Safety Engineering, 2006,
(1):611.
[3] Jan Palarski.Design and use of backfill for Polish coal mines[A].6th International
Symposium on Mining with Backfill, Minefill1998. [C]. Brishane 1998.
[4] Wang Jian-xue,Liu Tian-quan.the technology of goaf stowing with cement
materials[J]. Coal Mining Technology,2001(1):44.45.
[5] MIAO Xie-xing, LIU Wei-qun, CHEN Zhan-qing. Seepage Theory of Mining Rock
Mass. Beijing:Science Press, 2004(in Chinese))
[6] LI Neng-hui,LI Guo-ying,ZHAO Kui-zhi. Static and Dynamic Stress-deformation
Behavior of High Concrete Faced Rockfill Dams in Strong Ground Motion Zone [J].
Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2004,262183185.)
[7] Association of Geotechnique of Japan. Compaction of Coarse-Grained Materials Insitu[M]. Translated by Guo Xiling, Wen Dan. Beijing. China Water Power Press,
1999.
[8] ZHOU Jian, SU Yan, CHI Yong. Simulation of soil properties by particle flow
code[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2006, 28(3) 390395.
[9] Katsuki, Satoshi, Ishikawa, Nobutaka. Fundamental study on the shear resistance force
of fill materials using cylindrical element model [A]. Proceedings of the Japan Society
of Civil Engineers. [C]. Japanese 1989, 359368
[10] PFC2D Users Manual (Version 3. 0) [R].Minneapolis, Minnesota: Itasca Consulting
Group Inc, 2002.

Simulation Test Study On Compaction Character of Grouting Backfill in Caving Area

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Simulation Test Study On Compaction Character of Grouting Backfill in Caving Area

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

International Conference Waste Management, Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable

Development (ICWMEGGSD'07 - GzO'07) Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, August 28. - 30., 2007